Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x2 Models Making Their Owners Sick

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel has been widely lauded by the press for its impressive fuel economy. It has also become a big hit for the company. However, a number of owners are feeling a bit ill when driving their EcoDiesels.

Detroit ABC news station WXYZ reported back in December that a number of Ram 1500 EcoDiesel owners are reporting feeling sick with a exhaust smell coming into the cabin. That smell happens to be diesel exhaust which causes headaches, lightheadedness, and dizzy-ness. Ram owner forums started reporting this issue in September and October, with a number of trucks being investigated by Chrysler and then being fixed with new exhaust coupling. At the time Chrysler said a small number of trucks were affected, however the number of complaints has since grown larger.

Since the initial report, WXYZ has updated their story with a statement from Chrysler spokesman Eric Mayne saying the problem affects more trucks than previously thought, but only those that are two-wheel drive. Mayne decline to say how many trucks are affected, but did say that owners will be notified through a technical service bulletin, not a recall.

Why not go with the recall? Chrysler has done internal testing to see where carbon monoxide levels were in the effected trucks and found that the levels were below a level where they were deemed to be too dangerous. Not surprisingly, some owners want Chrysler to go further. WXYZ interviewed a number of owners who reported that the smell was choking them and driving their vehicle required the windows being open. One said that he was worried about carrying kids in the truck due to the smell.

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Not recalling them is even more shoking than the actual problem. I remember Toyota having some problems with their accelarator on a certain model and they imediatelly took action by recalling their cars. In this case, the problem doesn't seem to be that big, but still Chrysler aknowledged the problem and they don't seem that worried.

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Ram Trucks is planning to build the current Ram 1500 well into 2019, even after it launches a redesigned model in 2018.
Sources tell Automotive News the decision comes down to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles making a play for fleet customers by offering a lower-priced model in the form of the last-generation 1500. This move also allows dealers to have ample supplies of trucks - both old and new.
"Going into 2018, having more pickup capacity will allow us also to satisfy the fleet customers' demand on pickup, which we struggle to do today because we favor retail in the U.S. and Canadian volume, which have higher margins," said FCA CFO Richard Palmer on a conference call last week.
Sources say production of the current-generation Ram 1500 will continue at FCA's Warren Truck Assembly in Michigan and Saltillo, Mexico till 2019. The plan is for 200,000 trucks to be built in 2018, with another 65,000 built for 2019.
An FCA spokesman declined to comment.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Ram Trucks is planning to build the current Ram 1500 well into 2019, even after it launches a redesigned model in 2018.
Sources tell Automotive News the decision comes down to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles making a play for fleet customers by offering a lower-priced model in the form of the last-generation 1500. This move also allows dealers to have ample supplies of trucks - both old and new.
"Going into 2018, having more pickup capacity will allow us also to satisfy the fleet customers' demand on pickup, which we struggle to do today because we favor retail in the U.S. and Canadian volume, which have higher margins," said FCA CFO Richard Palmer on a conference call last week.
Sources say production of the current-generation Ram 1500 will continue at FCA's Warren Truck Assembly in Michigan and Saltillo, Mexico till 2019. The plan is for 200,000 trucks to be built in 2018, with another 65,000 built for 2019.
An FCA spokesman declined to comment.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

It seems the Jeep Wagoneer wasn't the only vehicle that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles was previewing for their dealers. Another set of leaked photos have come out possibly revealing the design of the next Ram 1500.
Much like the Wagoneer pictures we reported on yesterday, the Ram 1500 pictures come from a poster labeled "Ram Brand Lit Signatures". The front end appears to be a bolder version of the current model with a larger vertical bar and Ram logo. Headlights appear to be slimmer and there is an off-color skid plate. The tailgate appears to be taking some ideas from the Ford F-150 with a rugged and sculpted look. Taillights appear to be the same as the current model. The unlit section is likely for the turn signal and backup lights.
We're expecting to see the next-generation Ram 1500 sometime next year or 2018 as a 2019 model year vehicle. That is if there isn't any delays which FCA is becoming somewhat known for.
Source: Autoblog
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

It seems the Jeep Wagoneer wasn't the only vehicle that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles was previewing for their dealers. Another set of leaked photos have come out possibly revealing the design of the next Ram 1500.
Much like the Wagoneer pictures we reported on yesterday, the Ram 1500 pictures come from a poster labeled "Ram Brand Lit Signatures". The front end appears to be a bolder version of the current model with a larger vertical bar and Ram logo. Headlights appear to be slimmer and there is an off-color skid plate. The tailgate appears to be taking some ideas from the Ford F-150 with a rugged and sculpted look. Taillights appear to be the same as the current model. The unlit section is likely for the turn signal and backup lights.
We're expecting to see the next-generation Ram 1500 sometime next year or 2018 as a 2019 model year vehicle. That is if there isn't any delays which FCA is becoming somewhat known for.
Source: Autoblog
Pic Credit: William Maley for Cheers & Gears

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced yesterday that it would be recalling 1,908,911 vehicles worldwide due to the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners possibly not deploying in the event of a crash. Approximately 1.4 million vehicles involved in the recall are in the U.S.
In a statement released by FCA, the issue deals with a specific restraint control module and front impact sensor wiring.
"The condition may occur when vehicles equipped with a particular occupant restraint control module and front impact sensor wiring of a specific design, are involved in certain collisions. If all these factors are present, there may be an increased potential for occupant injury.”
The vehicles involved include,
2010 Chrysler Sebring midsize car
2011-2014 Chrysler 200 midsize cars
2010-2012 Dodge Caliber compact car
2010-2014 Dodge Avenger midsize cars
2010-2014 Jeep® Patriot and Compass SUVs
FCA says it is aware of three fatalities and five injuries possibly linked to this issue. The company has also said that it stopped using the affected parts and wire routing in newer vehicles.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is currently working on a notification schedule to alert owners about the problem. If you have questions, you are asked to call FCA US Customer Care Center at 1-800-853-1403.
FCA's recall comes a week after General Motors announced a similar recall for 4.3 million vehicles because of a software bug.
Source: Reuters, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Press Release is on Page 2

Statement: Occupant Restraint Controller
September 15, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S. to resolve a condition that may prevent air-bag and seat-belt pretensioner deployment capability in certain crashes.
The condition may occur when vehicles equipped with a particular occupant restraint control module and front impact sensor wiring of a specific design, are involved in certain collisions.
If all these factors are present, there may be an increased potential for occupant injury.
This action was prompted by an FCA US analysis of certain field events and other vehicle data. The Company is aware of three fatalities and five injuries that may potentially be related to this condition.
FCA US no longer uses the occupant restraint controllers or wire routing design found in the affected vehicles, which are:
2010 Chrysler Sebring midsize car
2011-2014 Chrysler 200 midsize cars
2010-2012 Dodge Caliber compact car
2010-2014 Dodge Avenger midsize cars
2010-2014 Jeep® Patriot and Compass SUVs
An additional 142,959 of these vehicles are subject to recall in Canada; 81,901 in Mexico, a population that includes the 2010 Chrysler Cirrus compact car; and 284,051 outside North America, which also includes the 2012-2013 Lancia Flavia midsize car.
FCA US will advise affected customers when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge. Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Care Center at (800) 853-1403.